Kampot Province, Cambodia (15 May 2026) — In a significant step forward for regional marine and coastal conservation, the Ministry of Environment's General Directorate of Natural Protected Areas (GDNPA) organized a national consultation workshop to discuss designating the Anlung Pring Protected Landscape as Cambodia's sixth Ramsar Site. Held in Kampong Trach District, the workshop brought together 39 key stakeholders, including national ministries, provincial departments, local authorities, rangers, non-governmental organizations, and community leaders. The consultation sought to build trust, foster local ownership, and secure multi-level institutional consent for the proposed nomination.
A sanctuary of global ecological importance
The workshop highlighted the critical ecological status of the Anlung Pring Wetland, particularly its role as a vital foraging sanctuary for migratory birds. The site holds immense regional significance for the East Asian-Australasian Flyway network, supporting roughly 50% of the endangered Sarus Crane population in Cambodia.
The opening and welcoming remarks, delivered by H.E. Meurn Kongkea, Deputy Governor of Kampot Province, and Mr. Thiv Sophearith, Deputy Director General of the GDNPA, emphasized the clear link between habitat preservation and community resilience. Beyond wildlife preservation, residents rely heavily on the healthy wetland system for sustainable ecotourism, fishing, agricultural grazing, and the harvesting of grey sedge for woven products.
"This wetland holds immense significance and high potential for biodiversity. It serves as a crucial feeding ground that sustains about 50% of the entire Sarus Crane population in Cambodia, allowing this rare and endangered species to nourish themselves before breeding. Strengthening collaboration from the grassroots to the national level can secure international recognition for these habitats and preserve our precious marine and coastal wetlands for future generations.”
- Reflections from Mr. Cheum Meng, Director of the Anlung Pring Protected Landscape, during the SCS SAP stakeholder engagement conducted by the SCS SAP in Kampot in February 2026, underscored the profound baseline value of these habitats.
Multi-stakeholder backing and next steps
During the presentation sessions, Mr. Than Monomoyith from the Ministry of Environment provided an overview of the Strategic Action Programme for the South China Sea and Gulf of Thailand (SCS SAP) project, illustrating how the pilot site integrates into broader transboundary ocean governance frameworks. Dr. Ly Phanna, National Consultant, presented the technical findings of the community consultation phase and reviewed the compliance metrics of the Ramsar Convention.
Stakeholders expressed strong, unanimous support for the nomination, identifying enhanced institutional coordination and community participation as the main pillars for long-term sustainability. Local youth and village leaders have already actively engaged in grassroot preservation by reducing chemical use and minimizing local plastic pollution.
The workshop concluded with a formal set of recommendations to finalize the Ramsar Information Sheet (RIS), strengthen scientific data collection, and step up awareness campaigns. Achieving formal Ramsar designation will elevate Anlung Pring to an internationally recognized safe haven, ensuring that the economic and environmental needs of the coastal zone grow in balance.
This National Workshop was supported by the UNEP/GEF SCS SAP Project, implemented in partnership with the Ministry of Environment, Cambodia, and UNOPS.
